'Hijacked' bus collides with cars and second bus

A "HIJACKED" bus collided with road signs, parked cars and another bus amid dramatic scenes in Merstham on Saturday morning.

A "HIJACKED" bus collided with road signs, parked cars and another bus amid dramatic scenes in Merstham on Saturday morning.

Surrey Police said it received a number of emergency calls from members of the public, reporting the vehicle travelling from the Bletchingley Road area towards Holmethorpe Industrial Estate.

According to police, two officers were also assaulted towards the end of the incident.

Police said that the bus had been boarded by two men who allegedly threatened the 42-year-old male driver, telling him to hand over money and then get off.

The incident began shortly after 7.30am, and police said a couple of passengers who had already been on board the bus alighted as the two men got on.

The driver managed to grab the cash box before leaving.

The bus was then driven off, hitting road signs and four parked cars.

As it was being reversed into Nutfield Road, the vehicle was in collision with a second bus which had two passengers on board, before coming to a halt.

One local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "The bus was in the garden of one of the homes on Nutfield Road.

"We heard a noise and came to the window. The whole street was shut down for about five hours while the police investigated."

Both vehices involved were run by Metrobus, and the company said in a statement: "We are shocked at what happened. The extent of damage to our buses is still being assessed. We will be helping the police with their investigation."

Oscar Roberts, 23, of Tilers Close, Redhill, appeared at Redhill Magistrates' Court on Monday morning charged with attempted robbery, two counts of common assault, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving with an alcohol level above the legal limit, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving with no insurance. He was remanded in custody to appear at Guildford Crown Court on January 27.

A 25-year-old man from Hailsham, East Sussex, has been arrested and released on police bail until January 28.

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She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.